Guyana Savannah and Rainforest Adventure | Trip Itinerary

Note:  This tour is a recommended, custom itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget.

Day 1/Sat 
Arrive in Guyana and transfer to Georgetown.  Overnight at Cara Lodge.
 
Day 2/Sun
Transfer to airport for a flight over endless rainforest before reaching the spectacular Kaieteur Falls with its sheer drop of 741 feet and unique ecosystem. Then continue on to the Brazilian border and bathe in the natural jacuzzi formed when the Ireng River thunders over solid Jasper at Orinduik Falls (see full description below). At the end of the flight transfer to Georgetown.  Overnight at Cara Lodge.  BL 

Day 3/Mon
0915hrs Transfer to Ogle airport for a flight across the rainforest and savannah to Karanambu Ranch.  This is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned, giant river otters to the wild.  Diane and her otters have appeared on National Geographic, Jeff Corwin Experience, Really Wild Show (BBC) and the Calgary’s “Zoo World”.  Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell (Three Singles to Adventure).  Dinner with Diane, will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs.  Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD (+ local bar)

Day 4/Tues
Diane sometimes has resident orphaned otters and you can help her as she tends to them.  You can visit Simoni Pond for some of the best inland fishing (add US$15.00) in Guyana including Peacock Bass or explore the flooded forest or savannah.  Visits can be made to nearby ponds for birdwatching and to view the Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily and Guyana’s national flower.  Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima. An evening visit to Crane Pond to see hundreds of Ibis, Anhinga, Heron and Egret roosting is a highlight. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD (+ local bar)

Day 5/Wed 
In the event we did not see the Giant Anteater the previous morning, we have this morning to travel out onto the savannah to search for a Giant Anteater. After breakfast depart Karanambu Lodge via boat on the Rupununi River.  Depending on the river level, this trip offers an excellent opportunity to look for Giant Otters as there are several family groups which live along this stretch of the Rupununi River.  We will reach our destination Ginep Landing, where we will change over to a 4x4 vehicle for our journey across the savannah to by 4x4 along the trail to seek the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly gaining an international reputation for its healthy jaguar populations that seem not to be troubled by the appearance of curious humans. No promises, but many have been lucky!  Journey ends at the Iwokrama River Lodge. Afternoon free to explore the trails around the field station with an Iwokrama Guide. After dinner, we will take you out on to the river to spot caiman and other nocturnal wildlife. Overnight at the Iwokrama River Lodge.  BLD

Day 6/Thur 
Today you will be up before dawn to hit the trail to seek the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly gaining an international reputation for its healthy jaguar populations that seem not to be troubled by the appearance of curious humans. No promises, but many have been lucky! After breakfast, you will leave the field station for the journey to Turtle Mountain, and an exhilarating climb up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes 1 ¾ hours to walk up the mountain, but the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking views over the forest canopy when you get there.  Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest. On the return trip, visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs (dependent on the water level). Then visit the small Amerindian village of Fair View before returning to the Field Station.  Overnight at Iwokrama Field Station.  BLD

Day 7/Fri 
After breakfast transfer to the new canopy walkway in the Iwokrama Forest; this allows you to experience the rainforest from 35M up in the tree tops. The journey concludes at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway where we can bird watch from the vantage of 35 Metres up in the canopy. Painted Parakeet, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Caica Parrots, and a host of crown specialists may come within our view.  From this tree top vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler Monkeys and Black Spider Monkeys.  The trails also have an interpretative walk with the trees named and you can learn about their varied uses in the Macushi culture.  Deer and agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge.  As dark falls on the Canopy Walkway, we will hope to see the White-winged Potoo.  Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge.  BLD

Day 8/Sat
This morning welcome the dawn chorus from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. After breakfast transfer by 4x4 to Rock View Lodge at Annai.  The road travels through the savannah and the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains with excellent opportunity for savannah birding.  Jabiru Stork are often seen along this stretch of road. Eventually we reach the Rupununi and Annai, its northernmost community. The Rupununi Savannah is to Guyana what the Gran Sabana is to Venezuela, an extensive area of grassland with termite mounds and scattered or riparian woodland.  It differs in that much of it is devoted to cattle raising, though the large ranches are not very productive.  Indeed, one can travel for hours without seeing a domestic animal of any sort. Needless to say, the birdlife here is markedly different from that of the rainforest. Rock View Lodge is located where the savannah meets the forest-covered foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains.  With its tropical gardens and flowering trees, the lodge resembles an oasis in the savannah, and attracts many species of birds, particularly nectar feeders and frugivores.  Nearby patches of light forest are home to certain ant birds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own.  Overnight at Rock View Lodge.  BLD

Day 9/Sun 
At dawn take a hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains on the Panorama Trail where you might see Cinereous Mourner, Finsch’s Euphonia, Reddish Hermit, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Green-tailed and Yellow-billed Jacamar. The views across the savannah and villages as the sun rises are spectacular.  Today you can visit a nearby Amerindian village.  Finish the day with drinks around the pool.  Overnight at Rock View Lodge.    Overnight at Rock View Lodge.  BLD

Day 10/Mon 
After an early breakfast we will join the scheduled flight to Ogle. Upon arrival, transfer to Georgetown for lunch. After lunch transfer along the West coast of Demerara to Rhoden Rust. Board a boat at Rhoden Rust and transfer along the Essequibo River to Baganara Island Resort. Baganara is pre-eminent among the three hundred and sixty-five islands in the mighty Essequibo. This wonderful little island paradise has one hundred and eighty-seven acres of lush green foliage and colourful tropical flowers.  Located five miles south of Bartica, it is the gateway to the unspoilt rainforest of Guyana and the junction where the great Essequibo and Mazaruni Rivers meet. You’ll have lots of space to relax, romance or just be alone, at one with nature.  You can sit on the balcony and simply enjoy the view, or take a long walk along the pristine white sand beach as the cool river waters gently lap at its shores.  Overnight at Baganara Island Resort.  BLD

Day 11/Tue
Today  you can answer the call of the wild along our jungle walk, where you'll find many different species of flora and fauna or you can try your hand at a variety of other outdoor activities including canoeing, fishing, water skiing, volleyball, table tennis, riding wave runners, or simply sunbathing and swimming.  Overnight at Baganara Island Resort.  BLD

Day 12/Wed
This morning enjoy a boat trip to Bartica, Kyk-over-al and Marshall  Falls. A boat trip on the Essequibo and Mazaruni Rivers leads to Marshall Falls, here you can bathe in a natural Jacuzzi.  Hike  through the forest to two smaller waterfalls, both perfect for a jungle swim.  On your return visit Kyk-Over-Al, the ruins of a Dutch fort and Bartica, a mining township (see full description below).   Afternoon you can answer the call of the wild along our jungle walk, where you'll find many different species of flora and fauna or you can try your hand at a variety of other outdoor activities including canoeing, fishing, water skiing, volleyball, table tennis, riding wave runners, or simply sunbathing and swimming. Overnight at Baganara Island Resort.  BLD

Day 13/Thu
Transfer to airport for departing flight. (depending on flight departure times, an additional night may be necessary in Georgetown)  B

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner